By Rebecca Kenyon

Social work students will help warm up the streets this winter by collecting clothes for Buffalo’s homeless.

Buffalo State College’s Social Work Honor Society and Student Social Work Program will collect winter clothing items through Dec. 24.  The clothes will be donated to Buffalo’s Friends of Night People.

Joni Maxick-Jason, president of the BSC Social Work Honor Society and vice president of the Student Social Work Program, said organizations like FONP are asking the community for help.

Maxick-Jason said the following new and gently used clothing items are needed for adults and children:

• hats
• gloves
• sweaters and sweatshirts
• jackets

“We will take anything to get them through the winter,” Maxick-Jason said.  “Unfortunately Buffalo is losing money and there is a lot of continued poverty without solution.  We hope to get out there, learn a little and help.”

Maxick-Jason said in conjunction with the clothing drive they will also collect hygiene items for runaway teens at Compass House. 

The following hygiene items are needed:

• hair products
• deodorant
• toothbrushes and toothpaste
• soap
• feminine products
• toiletries

Sue Abramowski, a senior majoring in social work, said she sees a great need to help homeless people in Buffalo.

“I see a guy close to the Grant Street parking lot taking bottles out of the trash every day.  I also see homeless people walking down Elmwood Avenue a lot,” Abramowski said.  “I’m going to bring in a sweatshirt or something, I think it will help.”

Maxick-Jason said social work students plan to serve dinner to the homeless at Friends of the Night People on Dec. 31.

“As a social work student you become more aware of what’s going on in the community.   We are reminded that we’re not all living these quiet, peaceful lives,” Maxick-Jason said.  “There is a lot of turmoil out there and we hope to make a difference.  We hope to teach each other that it is not just coming to school, taking a class and going home.”

All donations can be dropped off to the Social Work Office in Classroom Building, Room C 115.  Office hours are 9 a.m. to 4:30 p.m.  Clothing pick-ups can also be arranged.  For more information contact Maxick-Jason at JMaxickjas@buffalostate.edu.

Rebecca Kenyon can be contacted at usiarm65@mail.buffalostate.edu